O'MALLEY, John G., Jr.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, December 16, 2003 John G. O'Malley, Jr., 89, retired lumber company executive, died Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Born in Phoenix, Mr. O'Malley was the second of three sons. His family was involved in the O'Malley Lumber Company and its various subsidiaries, over a span of 83 years. He attended St. Mary's Grade School; and in 1928 he enrolled as a freshman at Brophy College Preparatory in the first year of its existence, becoming a member of its first four-year graduating class. In 1936, he graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame. Returning to the Valley in that year, Mr. O'Malley began his career in the family's building materials business. He trained and worked at lumberyards in Phoenix, Mesa, and Buckeye, prior to serving in the finance division of the U.S. Army during World War II. During the War he was stationed in Hawaii and the Gilbert Islands. In 1946 he established Mallco Distributors, the wholesale division of O'Malley Lumber, and served as general manager. He was elected president of O'Malley in 1967, and retired as the corporation's chief executive and chairman of the board in 1984. Mr. O'Malley had a great love for family and friends. He enjoyed every moment spent with them. He loved a round of golf or a football game, and never passed an opportunity to tell a joke. He was generous and concerned for the welfare of others. In business and in civic activities, he dealt honestly and directly, and enjoyed fellowship with employees and associates. Mr. O'Malley was a member of St. Frances Xavier parish and the Phoenix Country Club. Past memberships included Valley of the Sun Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Phoenix 20-30 Club, Arizona Club, Phoenix Hoo-Hoo (Lumbermen) Club, and Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Intercity Committee. Directorships included Heard Museum, Maricopa County General Hospital, Salvation Army, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southwestern Wholesale Distributors Association, Bank of Phoenix, Pioneer Bank of Arizona, Phoenix Growth Committee, Phoenix City Charter Committee, and Phoenix U.S.O. Committee. Survivors include his beloved wife of 57 years, Jerre Dickmann O'Malley; son, Mark O'Malley, and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Polson O'Malley, of Phoenix; daughter, Susan Hart, and son-in-law, Steven Hart, of Carlsbad, California; grandsons, Brian and Gregory Hart, both of Carlsbad; step-grandson, Charles Daniel of Redwood City, California; brother, Robert O'Malley, and sister-in-law, Sharon Butler O'Malley, of El Paso, Texas. Grandson, Kevin Hart; brother, James O'Malley; and sister-in-law, Martha Murray O'Malley, preceded him in death. Visitation will be held Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Rosary, 6:30 p.m. at Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Interment will be private. The family suggests contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his name to the John O'Malley Endowment Fund, Brophy College Preparatory; 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012; or to the Salvation Army: 2707 E. Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85008.